Awards round-up: Andrew Cope scoops BVCA accolade; Haines Watts rising star wins again and more..

LEEDS-based Zenith Provecta’s chief executive Andrew Cope has been named North East winner of the Private Equity Backed CEO of the Year award.

The British Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (BVCA) awards seek to recognise the best chief executives of private equity and venture backed companies in the UK.

Mr Cope said on winning the award: “Over the last twelve months the company has gone through enormous change with the acquisition of the Reading-based Employee Car Ownership specialist Provecta.

“The Zenith Provecta team is now a real and vibrant one with the new company actively market leading in many exciting areas, notably salary sacrifice.”

He was nominated by Barclays Private Equity.

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MATTHEW Barton of Haines Watts has been awarded first place in the Institute for Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) Professional Stage Annual International Order of Merit and the Plender Prize.

Mr Barton previously won First Place and the Howitt Prize in the Financial Management (new ACA) module of the December Professional Stage exams and also the Little Prize in the Taxation (new ACA) module of the June Professional Stage exams by coming top out of 1,565 candidates for that examination.

Peter Bancroft, managing partner of the Leeds firm, said “I am again delighted to congratulate Matthew on this unique achievement. This reflects the value we place on our policy of recruiting people of the highest quality “

Mr Barton commented: “I am surprised and delighted to have won a prize again. I would like to thank Haines Watts for their support.”

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MARTIN Port, managing director of Leeds-based vehicle tracking company Masternaut Three X, has been recognised as a Dell hero and will appear in the IT giant’s ‘Take Your Own Path’ campaign.

The global marketing campaign features pioneering entrepreneurs and their use of Dell products.

Mr Port joins other influential Dell heroes, including Lonely Planet’s Tony Wheeler, Julien Davenport of the Good Energy Group, Mark Gerhard of Jagex and Richard Reed of Innocent Drinks.

Microsoft and Intel have also joined Dell in supporting the ‘Take Your Own Path’ campaign.

Mr Port said: “Seven years ago we started out with only three employees and we’ve never looked back since.

“As a technology partner and a major influencer within the world’s IT led economy, Dell understands what it takes to run a successful entrepreneurial company. We are proud to join the other Dell heroes in helping shape worldwide business.”